Paste delivery apparatus

ABSTRACT

In apparatus to supply an uninterrupted stream of paste, particularly for use in a continuous-rod cigarette-making machine, paste is normally delivered from a main container, but when the main container is empty, the paste supply is maintained from an auxiliary container. The main container is refilled while the auxiliary container is operating and when paste is again delivered from the main container, part of the paste goes to recharge the auxiliary container while further paste is simultaneously delivered from the apparatus. The auxiliary container may be arranged in series between the main container and a nozzle from which the paste is discharged.

United States Patent Schorr et al.

1 Aug. 15, 1972 [54] PASTE DELIVERY APPARATUS [72] Inventors: Murray Arnold Schorr, Bletchley; Derek Henry Dyett, London, both of England [73] Assignee: Molins Machine Company Limited, London, England 221 Filed: Jul 29,1970

21 Appl. No.1 59,282

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 4, 1969 Great Britain ..38,892/69 [52] US. Cl. ..222/252, 222/52, 137/119, 137/255 [51] Int. Cl. ..G0lf 13/00 [58] Field of Search ..222/52, 67, 252, 256, 262, 222/263, 335, 56; 137/255, 264, 119;

Primary Examiner-Samuel F. Coleman Attorney-Craig, Antonelli, Stewart & Hill [57] ABSTRACT In apparatus to supply an uninterrupted stream of aste, articularl for use in a continuous-rod P P Y cigarette-making machine, paste is normally delivered from a main container, but when the main container is empty, the paste supply is maintained from an auxiliary container. The main container is refilled while the auxiliary container is operating and when paste is again delivered from the main container, part of the paste goes to recharge the auxiliary container while 184/64 further paste is simultaneously delivered from the apparatus. The auxiliary container may be arranged in [56] References Clted series between the main container and a nozzle from UNITED STATES PATENTS which the paste is discharged. 1,526,497 2/1925 Johnson ..137/255 X 11 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 24 at; ,4 J2? 4 is i {i f: I i= ii 46 i U y iii 5 I i? is I Z6 4 53 34 ,7 Q:

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PATENTEDAus 15 I972 SHEET 1 BF 2 INVENTORS MURRRY ARNOLD SCHORR AND DEREK HENRY DYETT BY C-vois, HnToneLLi, Sbemorl! =1 Hill ATTORNEYS PATENTEDAUGIB I912 3.684.135

SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTORS MURRRY AR-NOLD scHoRR AND DEREK HENRY DYETT BY Cvm'g, qnronelli, skewer-l: Hwl'.

ATTORNEYS PASTE DELIVERY APPARATUS This invention is particularly concerned with ap-.

paratus for delivering paste under pressure, especially for use in continuous rod making machines, for example cigarette or filter rod making machines. Apparatus according to this invention may however be used for other purposes.

Apparatus according to this invention comprises a main container for paste, with means for discharging paste from the main container to a delivery passage, and an auxiliary container from which paste can be discharged to the same delivery passage while the main container is being recharged with paste, the arrangement being such that the resumption of operation by the main container after it has been filled results initially in part of the paste from the main container going to the delivery passage while part of the paste passes into the auxiliary container so as to refill the auxiliary container.

Preferably the apparatus includes a detector means to detect when the main container is empty and means automatically to initiate operation of the auxiliary container in response to a signal from the detector means.

In a preferred arrangement the auxiliary container is connected in series between the main container and the delivery passage; that is to say, paste delivered from the main container to the delivery passage passes through the auxiliary container. The auxiliary container in this case comprises a cylinder communicating with the delivery passage and a piston member acting in the cylinder, the piston member having a hollow bore thorough the cylinder communicating with an outlet pipe from the main container, so that paste can pass from the main container, through the piston member into the cylinder, and then out of the cylinder to the delivery passage; and means whereby when the main container is empty the piston member can be forced through the cylinder to deliver paste to the delivery passage while the main container is being recharged.

Two examples of apparatus according to this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

FIG. 1 shows one apparatus according to this invention; and

FIG. 2 shows the relevant part of the second apparatus.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is primarily intended as a means of delivering a starchy adhesive paste to a nozzle 2 which applies the paste along one edge of a continuous paper web 4 which is wrapped around a filler 6 of tobacco to form a continuous cigarette rod. The edges of the paper web are joined by the paste supplied through the nozzle 2. The continuous rod is then cut into cigarette lengths.

Paste is normally delivered to the nozzle from a main paste container 8 via a pipe 10, a T-junction l2 and a pipe 14. The delivery passage referred to in the attached claims is the pipe 14. The paste is under some pressure, being discharged from the container 8 (which is cylindrical) by an hydraulically powered ram 16 which includes an end plate 18 serving as a piston fitting closely within the container 8. The ram is driven into the container 8, so as to discharge paste from the container, by hydraulic fluid delivered through a pipe 20 into the end of a cylinder 22. The upper end of the ram, as viewed in FIG. 1, has a piston member 24 which fits closely within the bore of the cylinder 22 screwedinto an annular body 23. The container 8 has a form of bayonet connection with the body 23 so that it can be readily released by twisting slightly and then pulling.

As the ram approaches the end of its travel into the container 8, it operates successively two switches 26 and 28. The switch 26 gives a warning signal when the container 8 is nearly empty, and the switch 28 gives a signal when the container is completely empty and needs to be recharged with the paste.

The hydraulic fluid which powers the ram 16 is delivered by a pump 30 driven by a motor 32 the fluid being drawn from a reservoir 34 via a filter 36'. The arrows in the fluid circuit diagram show the normal passage of the hydraulic fluid from the pump 30 to the pipe 20 via a solenoid-operated valve 38. The pressure of this fluid is maintained at a desired value, for example 400 pounds per square inch by a relief valve 40' which bypasses any excess hydraulic fluid through a pipe 42 leading back to the reservoir.

When the container 8 has been emptied, the ram 16 is returned rapidly to its uppermost position to enable the container 8 to be removed for recharging. This rapid return of the ram is achieved by delivering hydraulic fluid through a pipe 44 to an annular space 46 which is between the cylinder 22 and the main cylindrical body 48 of the ram. This fluid acts on the small annular surface underneath the piston member 24 so as to move the ram upwards. The hydraulic pressure in this case. can be greater than the pressure normally used to power the ram, and this is achieved by controlling the pressure by means of a second relief valve 50. During this ram-returning operation, hydraulic fluid is fed direct from the pump 30 to the pipe 44 by the solenoid valve 38, the flow passages in the valve being as shown in broken lines. It will be' seen that the relief valve 40 is then out of action, whereas the relief valve 50 can act to bleed any excess fluid back-to the reservoir via a pipe 52. At the same time the solenoid valve allows hydraulic fluid above the ram to return to the reservoir via the pipe 20 and pipe 54.

While the main container 8 is being recharged with paste, paste can be delivered to the nozzle 2 from an auxiliary container 56 (shown diagrammatically) via a pipe 58 leading'to the T-junction 12. While this is happening, a non-return valve (indicated diagrammatically by the arrow 13) in the T-junction l2 prevents paste from passing from the pipe 58 and into the pipe 10.

The auxiliary container includes a ram 60 which has end piston members 62 and 64 which fit within the container 56 and a cylinder 66 respectively. The ram is driven downwards into the container 56 by air pressure delivered through a pipe 68 via a solenoid-operated direction-control valve 70. The solenoid may respond automatically to the emission of the signal from the second switch 28 on the main container, so that paste begins to be discharged from the auxiliary container 56 as soon as the main container has emptied. The air pressure may for example be 60 pounds per square inch.

While the valve 70 is not connecting the pipe 68 to the air pressure source (i.e. while the auxiliary container is inoperative) it preferably connects the pipe 68 to atmosphere via a relief valve (not shown) which produces a back pressure controlling the return movement of the ram 60 while the auxiliary container is being recharged from the main container. This ensures that paste is discharged from the nozzle while the auxiliary container is being recharged.

It will be seen that the piston member 64 has a larger diameter than the piston member 62 of the ram 60, so that the paste pressure of the auxiliary container will be greater than the air pressure. On the other hand the piston member 18 of the ram 16 is larger in diameter than the piston member 24, so that there is a step down in pressure in the case of the main paste container. The overall result of this can be such that both containers deliver paste at approximately the same pressure.

FIG. 2 shows part of an alternative arrangement. The part shown replaces the auxiliary container and T-junction combination shown in FIG. 1.- In effect FIG. 2 shows an on-line auxiliary container which has input and output pipes and 14 respectively, corresponding ,to the pipes 10 and 14 in FIG. 1, so that theauxiliary container is connected in series between the main container and the delivery passage, that is to say the pipe 14. The device shown in FIG. 2 has a tubular housing consisting of a small-diameter part 72 and a largediameter part 74. The part 72 serves as the auxiliary container, while the part 74 serves as a cylinder for a piston member 76. This piston is part of a ram which also includes a piston member 78 running in the bore of the housing part 72, with a tubular connecting portion 80 which includes a non-return valve 82 (shown diagrammatically in outline) which allows flow only in the direction of the arrow.

During normal use, that is to say while paste is being delivered from the main container, the device shown in FIG. 2 remains in the position shown in solid outline. Paste from the main container passes through the pipe 10, through the tubular part 80 of the ram and through the auxiliary container as defined by the housing portion 72, and emerges from the auxiliary chamber by being delivered through the pipe 14 which leads to the nozzle 2, as in FIG. 1. It should be noted that part of pipe 10 in this case is in the form of a straight rigid tube which is connected to the ram; the pipe can move axially with the ram through an end cap 84 which includes an O-ring seal 86 around the pipe. When the main container has been emptied and requires to be recharged, the ram is moved downwards by means of air pressure delivered through a pipe 88 into the space 90 above the piston member 76 of the ram. Air is admitted to pipe 88 via a solenoid operated valve 89 in response to closing of the switch 28 on the main container. Consequently paste in the auxiliary container 72 is driven out through the pipe 14 by the piston member 78. The pipe 10 may have a flange which operates a limit switch when the auxiliary container is empty.

When the delivery of paste is resumedby the main container, part of the paste passes through the ram and auxiliary container and into the outlet pipe 14, while part remains in the auxiliary container and pushes back the ram so as to prepare the auxiliary container for its next period of operation. While this is happening the valve 89 connects the pipe 88 to atmosphere through a relief valve 91 which controls the upward movement of the ram. This ensures that paste is delivered from the nozzle 2 while the auxiliary container is being recharged.

The container 8 is shown for convenience in an upright position. It may however be mounted in any desired orientation. The same applies to the auxiliary container.

As an idea of scale, in one particular example the bore diameter of the main container 8 is l 15 mm.

The bore diameter of the auxiliary container 72 may for example be 38 mm.

What we claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for delivering an uninterrupted supply of paste, comprising a main container, means for discharging paste from the main container to a delivery passage, and an auxiliary container connected in series between the main container and the delivery passage, the auxiliary container comprising a cylinder communicating with the delivery passage, and a piston member acting in the cylinder, the piston member having a hollow bone communicating with an outlet pipe from the main container and with the interior of the cylinder, whereby paste from the main container passes through the piston member and into the cylinder, and then out of the cylinder to the delivery passage; and including means whereby, when the main container is empty, the piston member can be forced through the cylinder to deliver paste to the delivery passage while the main container is being recharged; whereby the resumption of operation by the main container after it has been filled results in paste in the auxiliary container pushing back the piston member so as to refill the auxiliary chamber.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a second piston member by which the first piston member can be forced through the cylinder by means of fluid pressure acting upon the second piston member, the second piston member being rigidly connected to the first by a tubular part through which paste from the main container passes into the cylinder of the auxiliary container, and being slidable in a second cylinder coaxial with the first cylinder.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which there is a non-return valve in the tubular part connecting the first piston member to the second piston member.

4. A continuous-rod making machine for making cigarettes or similar rod-like articles in which an adhesive paste is delivered by apparatus according to claim 1.

5. Apparatus for delivering an uninterrupted supply of paste, comprising a main container and an auxiliary container arranged to supply paste to the same delivery passage, the main container comprising a cylinder with a fluid-powered piston acting in it, sensing means for sensing when the main container is substantially fully discharged; fluid supply means for supplying fluid under pressure to one side of the piston to discharge paste from the cylinder to the delivery passage, and for supplying fluid under pressure to the other side of the piston in response to operation of the sensing means to drive the piston back; and fluid-powered means for discharging paste from the auxiliary container in response to operation of the sensing means so that paste is delivered from the auxiliary container to the delivery passage while the main container is being recharged; the arrangement being such that the resumption of operation by the main container after it has been recharged results initially in part of the paste from the main container going to the delivery passage at the same time as part of the paste passes into the auxiliary container, driving back the fluid-powered means, so as to refill the auxiliary container.

1 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which the auxiliary container comprises a cylinder with a fluid powered piston acting in it, and means responsive to operation of the sensing means to supply fluid under pressure to the piston so as to discharge paste from the auxiliary container to the delivery passage, the piston being arranged to be driven back by paste delivered into the auxiliary container from the main container when the auxiliary container is refilled on the resumption of operation of the main container.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 including a restrictor to restrict the discharge of the fluid from the auxiliary container cylinder when the auxiliary container is being refilled.

8. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which; the fluid supply means is arranged to supply fluid at a first pressure for discharging paste from the container and at a second pressure higher than the first pressure, to drive the piston back. 7

9. Apparatus according to claim 5 including a nonreturn valve, between the main container and the auxiliary container, arranged to prevent paste from passing from the auxiliary container and into the main container,

10. Apparatus for delivering an uninterrupted supply of paste, comprising a main container and an auxiliary container arranged to supply paste to the same delivery passage, the main container comprising a paste-containing cylinder including a fluid-powered piston for discharging paste from the cylinder, supply means for delivering fluid under pressure to one side of the piston to force the piston through the cylinder and discharge the paste from the cylinder; detector means for detecting when the cylinder is substantially fully discharged; means responsive to operation of the detector means to cut off the supply of fluid to the said one side of the piston and to supply fluid to an annular portion of the other side of the piston so as to drive back the piston to enable the main container to be recharged; the auxiliary container comprising a second cylinder for paste and a second piston acting in it arranged to be forced through the cylinder, in response to operation of the detector means, to discharge paste from the said second cylinder to the discharge tube while the main container is being recharged, and including a nonreturn valve to prevent paste passing from the auxiliary container and into the main container; the arrangement being such that the resumption of operation of the main container after it has been recharged results initially in part of the paste from the main container going to the delivery passage at the same time as part of the paste passes into the auxiliary container to drive back the second piston and refill the auxiliary container.

1 1. Apparatus for delivering an uninterrupted supply of paste, comprising a cylindrical main container having an outlet and a fluid-powered piston for discharging paste from the outlet, a cylindrical auxiliary container having an outlet and a fluid powered piston for discharging paste from the outlet, and a paste delivery conduit for delivering paste alternatelyfrom the two containers, the said conduit bein permanentl in direct communication with the out et of the aura iary container, and being in direct communication with the outlet of the main container through a non-return valve, whereby operation of the fluid-powered piston of the auxiliary container causes paste to flow directly from the auxiliary container to the said conduit, whereas operation of the fluid-powered piston of the main container after paste has been discharged from the auxiliary container automatically causes some paste from the main container to flow into the said conduit while the remainder of the paste leaving the main container flows into the auxiliary container so as to refill it. 

1. Apparatus for delivering an uninterrupted supply of paste, comprising a main container, means for discharging paste from the main container to a delivery passAge, and an auxiliary container connected in series between the main container and the delivery passage, the auxiliary container comprising a cylinder communicating with the delivery passage, and a piston member acting in the cylinder, the piston member having a hollow bone communicating with an outlet pipe from the main container and with the interior of the cylinder, whereby paste from the main container passes through the piston member and into the cylinder, and then out of the cylinder to the delivery passage; and including means whereby, when the main container is empty, the piston member can be forced through the cylinder to deliver paste to the delivery passage while the main container is being recharged; whereby the resumption of operation by the main container after it has been filled results in paste in the auxiliary container pushing back the piston member so as to refill the auxiliary chamber.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a second piston member by which the first piston member can be forced through the cylinder by means of fluid pressure acting upon the second piston member, the second piston member being rigidly connected to the first by a tubular part through which paste from the main container passes into the cylinder of the auxiliary container, and being slidable in a second cylinder coaxial with the first cylinder.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which there is a non-return valve in the tubular part connecting the first piston member to the second piston member.
 4. A continuous-rod making machine for making cigarettes or similar rod-like articles in which an adhesive paste is delivered by apparatus according to claim
 1. 5. Apparatus for delivering an uninterrupted supply of paste, comprising a main container and an auxiliary container arranged to supply paste to the same delivery passage, the main container comprising a cylinder with a fluid-powered piston acting in it, sensing means for sensing when the main container is substantially fully discharged; fluid supply means for supplying fluid under pressure to one side of the piston to discharge paste from the cylinder to the delivery passage, and for supplying fluid under pressure to the other side of the piston in response to operation of the sensing means to drive the piston back; and fluid-powered means for discharging paste from the auxiliary container in response to operation of the sensing means so that paste is delivered from the auxiliary container to the delivery passage while the main container is being recharged; the arrangement being such that the resumption of operation by the main container after it has been recharged results initially in part of the paste from the main container going to the delivery passage at the same time as part of the paste passes into the auxiliary container, driving back the fluid-powered means, so as to refill the auxiliary container.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which the auxiliary container comprises a cylinder with a fluid powered piston acting in it, and means responsive to operation of the sensing means to supply fluid under pressure to the piston so as to discharge paste from the auxiliary container to the delivery passage, the piston being arranged to be driven back by paste delivered into the auxiliary container from the main container when the auxiliary container is refilled on the resumption of operation of the main container.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 including a restrictor to restrict the discharge of the fluid from the auxiliary container cylinder when the auxiliary container is being refilled.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which; the fluid supply means is arranged to supply fluid at a first pressure for discharging paste from the container and at a second pressure higher than the first pressure, to drive the piston back.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 5 including a non-return valve, between the main container and the auxiliary container, arranged to prevent paste from passing from the auxiliary container and into the main container,
 10. Apparatus for delivering an uninterrupted supply of paste, comprising a main container and an auxiliary container arranged to supply paste to the same delivery passage, the main container comprising a paste-containing cylinder including a fluid-powered piston for discharging paste from the cylinder, supply means for delivering fluid under pressure to one side of the piston to force the piston through the cylinder and discharge the paste from the cylinder; detector means for detecting when the cylinder is substantially fully discharged; means responsive to operation of the detector means to cut off the supply of fluid to the said one side of the piston and to supply fluid to an annular portion of the other side of the piston so as to drive back the piston to enable the main container to be recharged; the auxiliary container comprising a second cylinder for paste and a second piston acting in it arranged to be forced through the cylinder, in response to operation of the detector means, to discharge paste from the said second cylinder to the discharge tube while the main container is being recharged, and including a non-return valve to prevent paste passing from the auxiliary container and into the main container; the arrangement being such that the resumption of operation of the main container after it has been recharged results initially in part of the paste from the main container going to the delivery passage at the same time as part of the paste passes into the auxiliary container to drive back the second piston and refill the auxiliary container.
 11. Apparatus for delivering an uninterrupted supply of paste, comprising a cylindrical main container having an outlet and a fluid-powered piston for discharging paste from the outlet, a cylindrical auxiliary container having an outlet and a fluid powered piston for discharging paste from the outlet, and a paste delivery conduit for delivering paste alternately from the two containers, the said conduit being permanently in direct communication with the outlet of the auxiliary container, and being in direct communication with the outlet of the main container through a non-return valve, whereby operation of the fluid-powered piston of the auxiliary container causes paste to flow directly from the auxiliary container to the said conduit, whereas operation of the fluid-powered piston of the main container after paste has been discharged from the auxiliary container automatically causes some paste from the main container to flow into the said conduit while the remainder of the paste leaving the main container flows into the auxiliary container so as to refill it. 